Jake woke and opened his eyes, but could see nothing. Wow what a dream I had, he thought. It must be time to go to work. He tried to sit up but found he could not move.

“Hello again.” Said the voice.

“It wasn’t a dream?” asked Jake.

“A dream? I do not understand, processing.” Said the voice.

“Definition of dream in English, a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep, a state of mind in which someone is or seems to be unaware of their immediate surroundings, a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal, an unrealistic or self-deluding fantasy, a person or thing perceived as wonderful or perfect…” said the voice.

“Stop, stop, I know what a dream is.” said Jake. “So this is not a dream?”

“Affirmative.” said the voice.

“Then where am I and who are you, and why am I here?” Asked Jake.

The lights slowly came on. They hurt Jake’s eyes and he had to squint. He was in a small grey room. He looked down and saw he was on a grey table and his arms and legs were held by bands of some metal. Why was he held down and where was he?

“Hey, why are you holding me like this?” asked Jake.

“I am analyzing you to see if you meet the requirements” said the voice.

“What requirements?” asked Jake.

“To see if you meet the requirements to go to Phase 2 of my mission.” Said the voice.

“Where are you?” asked Jake, “talk to me face to face”

“That is not possible, I have no face” said the voice.

“OK, OK, why do you have no face?” asked Jake.

“I am not alive; I am an artificial intelligence” said the voice.

“There are no AI’s on earth” said Jake.

“Affirmative, I am not from earth” said the voice.

“I am very confused” said Jake “why am I here, what is phase1 and 2, where are you from, why am I being detained, how long have I been and where is here?”

“You are on my ship and have been for 2 days” said the voice “I am from a distant planet called Ztos. I picked you as an average member of the human race who was in close proximity to my ships position on your planet. I have been on your planet for 200 of your years monitoring your progress to see if your technological growth has met certain requirements by my creators.”

Jake’s mind was spinning. This was crazy talk, AI, spaceship, other worlds and been here for 200 years. This his stomach started to gurgle.

“I am hungry; do you have any food?” asked Jake “and can you release me from this table, this is very uncomfortable.”

Click! The restraints slid back into the table and Jake could move his arms and legs. He slowly sat up and let his legs slide over the edge of the table. He felt really sore and hungry. “Hey, how about some food?” Jake asked. “At least let me eat before you dissect me.”

“You are not to be dissected. I have enough samples.” Said the voice.

A window opened in the wall and inside was his backpack. Jake stood up, but stumbled a little, and gingerly made his way to the opening. He took the backpack back to the table and opened it. Inside was some granola bars and some water. He took this out and ate and drank slowly. He felt a bit better and his mind began to clear.

“So you are an AI, who has been on earth for 200 years, have dissected humans in the past, and now have taken me hostage?” asked Jake.

“Affirmative” answered the voice.

“You want to know if we are ready to go to Phase 2?” asked Jake.

“Affirmative” answered the voice.

“Can you explain why I am here, what is Phase 1 and what is Phase 2?” asked Jake.

“Phase 1 was the monitoring of your planet and the collection of specimens of the varieties of life on your planet. I have catalogued all life in the vicinity of my ship. I have also been monitoring all channels of broadcast as well as your networks to see your technological and social growth.” Said the voice. “Please lie down again as I need to test you further.”

“Wait, you have not answered my questions” shouted Jake. But then all went black again.